Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-02
REMARKs or srEAKER JoRnAN.

hi' Chairman Before this motion is taken
desire to be heard upon this bill and the amend
ments now pending. ! think / have not thus
far imposed myself upon you more than twice
do it now because | feel impelled to do it. be-
ing fully convinced from what has been said to
me by some OF those in the other branch of the
Legislature, that if this bill is amended that
there are elements at work there which will
tend to defeat the bill, and of this / speak adj
visedly, notwithstanding the fact that in so
speaking am obliged to somewhat refute the
statements made by one of my colleagues upon
this floor. Feeling, then, sincerely the necessity
der that it may become law and feeling that
unless it does become law great wrong shall
be done desire your attention. Two years ago
this hall was visited by something more than
twenty men, who came here leaning upon
their stRffs with sightlesS eyes; they came
pleading that this State might enact law That
would take them out of the streets, out of the
peiting storms, out of the blazing sun,
and give them some opportunity in an
honest manner, free from the stigma Of beg
gar" to earn a living. The BILL as then drafted,
should set aside $4,000 for the support of the
adult blind. That bill, with but one dissenting
vote passed this House. In the other branch Of
the Legislature it was cut down to $4,000, aud
the institution placed upon an expert
mental basis. The people VINO had charge
of the bill were told to try this experiment
for two years and If at the end of that time they
SHOULD find that good work is being done, 10
come again AID we would then place the instl-
tuition upon Il permanent basis. They have
come again; they say that they want that
home they say that the experiment M proved
to be IL success they admit that it is true as
has been stated privately in these Hobbies, that
they have not been able to earn living. We
were told two years ago that If this law were
enacted the blind men would be enabled to
earn a living, and would return all the money
to the State. They tel. us now that this is not
true and the record of this experiment has
proved. They admit that they have earned but
f<.lf how -t.frry
Treasury of this state only about 80 per cent of
the money taken out for their support and they
say now i'll all probability this is nearly, if not
quite all they will be able to do in the future;
and submit to you, my associates, that when
many men in this community, iii this common
wealth are unable with two eyes to earn liv-
ing if it is not well done when these men with
out any eyes can earn half u living, l submit
TO you that if they can be put in that home, and
by the fostering care of our State Government,
be enabled IN an honest manner, free from that
terrible brand of "beggar,' o earn half liy-
ing that it is the duty of this great common
wealth to give them tina. opportunity. Sir, lean
never visit that institution as have in the past
interrupted by Briefly.
MIR Bricrly-1 dislike to interrupt the gentle
man, but the question now before the House is
Lot the support of the blind man but the salary
of the physician AID the Secretary, who are not
blind.
The Chair-The gentleman is Arguing against
the amendment, as he claims that any amend
ment would be fatal 10 the bill. 1t seems to me
the line OF argument IS entirely correct.
Mr.. Jordan continued-Mr. Chairman, speak
as | co because 1 am aware, as have stated,
that the very life of this bill depends upon the
defeat of this amendment and all other ameNl-
mcnts that shall be offered here. Sir, ! can
never visit that Institution, as have many times
in the past, and see those forty or more blind
men gather about me, but that feel impelled to
do anything for them that may be able, 10 al
eyiate their sufferings. was there two weeks
ago and the blind men asked me 20 come into
bair O. assam bly-rpam and there with ten in
their eyes, leaning upon their stats, they in
auired about this bill. They said, :" Mr.. Jordan,
Tor God S sake don't let that bill be defeated !:
don't turn us out into the street again to beg :
we want 10 say here; we want TO learn these
trades: we want to be enabled TO 90 out into
the world among mankin AID earn for our
selves en- honest living. Don't let the Stste
take out from under us its fostering and careful
hands And, gentlemen, pledged those men
that if there Was anything | could do
at this session of the Legislature to save to them
the charitable munitcence OF This State,
would surely do it l am now fulfilling that OBJ
legation. / saw those men weep; their tears
went into the depths of my SOUL and 10 day
plead with you that you do nothing in your leg.
islation that shall tend to endGnger their sup
port. There is no human being save the one
who has felt it. that can understand the terrible
woes o. bliudLess there is no heart. save that
that has felt il. that can thoroughly appreciate
the terrors OF being able to hear from day to day
the voices of loved ones and of strangers, of
children and of wives, and yet never be able to
see their faces. and am reminded speak with
feelings borne from day to day through
the pains OF NV own body that
the day a. my physician has
said TO me, may not be far away when cloud
shall come over my own eyes which shall turn
me into that same perpetual darkness: and
beg of YOU, implore you, that if the time shall
ever come when l shall be debarred from again
seeing my children. from sgain beholdng the
face of my wife; from again looking upon the
kindly countenances of friends. yet always hear
ing somewhere about me in the darkness the
sound of their voices-let there be some place in
this State sustained By the treasury OF the con-
monwea tn where | may go aud teach these
hands to see: teach these hands to earn that
livelihood which, without my sight today,